Govt presents Rs18.7 trillion budget under shadow of Mideast crisis

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb on Friday presented a budget with a total outlay of Rs18.7 trillion as the federal government tries to balance a fragile economic situation due to an energy crisis amid the Middle East tensions. Largest share of budget to go into debt servicing, says finance minister, while Rs3tr allocated for defence and Rs1 trillion for the federal development programme.